One of Those Days?

A couple of years ago I wrote about the old fashioned virtue of perseverance, looking at hardship influencing all aspects of our lives.

We all know that adversity, no matter to what degree, is a part of life with its natural “ups” and “downs”. We ride out the negative emotions as best we know how with what works for us…music, meditation, a walk outside, a talk with a friend or a session with a counselor. But sometimes life can be overwhelming.

Hardship makes us feel out of control suffering mental or physical pain. Dragging on and on we sometimes lose hope not seeing light at the end of the tunnel. No one can help. And God seems far removed in silence, not offering any answers.

The virtue of perseverance and Winston Churchill would advise: “If you are going through hell, keep going.”

Even this great advice to pull up your bootstraps and weather the storm may not put you at peace. Maybe you’ve tried it.

In certain times, we just have to “give it up”, relying on the adage, “let go” and “let God”.

This year especially the flu season lasted so long bringing long and extreme illness. Our depleted physical spirits coupled with the unusually cold conditions can weigh us down mentally, physically and spiritually.

It might be time to just “let it go”, putting all physical, emotional and spiritual pain in God’s hands.

Here is a wonderful Prayer of Abandonment by Brother Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916) that Father Robert Rhor shared this last week and I like to pass it on. When spirits are challenged and words don’t easily flow, it speaks for us.

“Father,

I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will.

Whatever you may do, I thank you: I am ready for all, I accept all.

Let only your will be done in me and in all your creatures – I wish no more than this, O Lord.

Into your hands, I commend my soul: I offer it to you with all the love of my heart, for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself, to surrender myself into your hands without reserve, for you are my Father.”